Framingham, Wayland get $44K for lake cleanup

The Department of Conservation and Recreation has awarded $44,000 to Framingham and Wayland to clean invasive weeds out of Lake Cochituate.

Liz Mineo/Daily News staff

The Department of Conservation and Recreation has awarded $44,000 to Framingham and Wayland to clean invasive weeds out of Lake Cochituate.

With the money and an additional $22,00 contributed by the towns, the lake's North Pond, which sits mostly in Framingham and Wayland with a corner in Natick, will be cleaned using a herbicide followed by pulling out remaining weeds by hand.

It's a worthwhile endeavor, said conservationists, because all sections of the 614-acre lake in Cochituate State Park are infested with Eurasian milfoil.

"Many people fought long and hard for the project to go forward," said Mike Lowery, who is on the Wayland Surface Water Quality Commission. "The state has realized it's not only giving money away, but it's maintaining the parks."

The cost of the program is $66,000, but Framingham and Wayland joined together to contribute funds. The grant was awarded through a matching funds program.

The department yesterday announced the release of $755,226 in matching funds for 21 improvement and enhancement projects in state parks and other facilities across the state.

Among other projects that will be funded are the upgrade of old maple sugaring equipment at Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, and the conversion of a pedestrian bridge to connect trails in Wellesley/Newton and Concord.

An additional $800,000 will be reallocated to 15 existing projects that were not able to be completed last year. Among them is the restoration of the memorial to the founders of Watertown.

The program received 49 applications this year, and has become very competitive, said Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr.

The program accepts applications from groups, institutions, businesses and individuals with an interest in improving the state's natural, cultural and recreational resources.

"What we have is a program generated at the grass-roots level," said Sullivan. "There is great support and understanding of the role parks, greenways and ponds play in the quality of life of the community they are in."

Other approved projects include replacing four water fountains on the Esplanade in Boston, purchasing sports lighting equipment on three basketball courts and two tennis courts in Roxbury, and designing three pedestrian crossings to Jamaica Pond in Jamaica Plain.

As for the grant to clean the weeds out of Lake Cochituate, it's welcome news, said Lowery, a member of the Wayland Surface Water Quality Commission. The project had lost money from the state due to budget cuts.

Work will start soon, he said.

(Liz Mineo can be reached at 508-626-3825 or lmineo@cnc.com.)

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